August 27th '62 Wednesday morning Stil [sic] finds us al [sic] on the land among the living and by the mercies of god we are permitted to enjoy health and strength. I would just say to you this morning deer wife that I commenced a letter yesterday evening to send with John Wesly, but I did not have but about five minutes to ? the officers say that we wil [sic] be sent down in [illegible] before many days so I got a pass to go in town yesterday evening and I give twenty five cents for my ? without a case with my old dirty clothes on and sent it to you with john wesly and after a while I will send you a good one with my uniform on. I will just say that I want yours as soon as I can get it. I must say that I am contented and hapy [sic] in my position. We but hark the orders is given to gall in ranks to muster I must drop all and run at the command all right just served two hours in drill we are now at liberty and I wil [sic] endever to say something more we fare much better than we did. We have plenty to eat and plenty of blankets I thought that cake you put in my coat pocket was the best cake I ever eat. We had prair [sic] meting [sic] in our tent last night. At another place was preaching. Some places singing. Some places [illegible] and evry [sic] thing else going on that could be mentioned. Here comes thirty six wagons in to camp al [sic] in one string full of people about one hundred wagons stayed on the ground last night. We have not got our uniforms yet. We expect to be mustered in to the service soon and then we expect to be cald [called] to washing city or som [sic] where else. God only knows where for I don't ? I don't care so I can live in the faith and kep [sic] my armer bright. I feel that I have don [sic] my duty but I hope and prey [pray] to god that I may live and fight my very through and be permited [sic] to return home to you my deer wife and good children. Tel [sic] my mother that I feel that she is a deer and kind good mother I never shal [sic] forget her goodness and to you my deerest friend and companion effectionate love I say I want you to spend a good part of your time in reading and writing. Direct you leters [sic] to camp Tary Matoon Illinois in care of caption handy. Rite quick and let me know al the particklers. I remain you best friend and companion [illegible] if we meet in a beter world than this Joseph Jones